Earth boring machine with a pivotal head

ABSTRACT

The drill head of a raise drill is mounted to allow pivoting in one or more planes. Bending forces on the drill string and raise drill components are reduced, eliminated or controlled. An indicator provides the operator with information concerning alignment and misalignment.

ilnited States Patent 1 1 3,695,369 Drouet 1 51 t. 3, 1972 [54] EARTHBORING MACHINE WITH A 397,827 2/1889 Barth .ll73/42 PIVOTAL HEAD3,220,494 1 l/ I965 Cannon et al 1 75/53 X 1,954,957 4/1934 Smith..l75/39 X 72 I 1 M Dmue" 2,775,439 12/1956 McCarthy ..175/53 [73]Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, Tex.

Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion [22] Flled' Sept 1970 AssistantExaminer-Richard E. Favreau [21 Appl. N0.: 70,740 Att0rney-Robert W.Mayer, Thomas P. Hubbard, Jr.,

Daniel Rubin, Raymond T. Majesko, Roy L. Van Winkl,W'l E n 1521 us. c1..175/45, 175/53 6 'hamE Johnson Jr and I5] 1 Int. Cl. ..E21b 47/02,EZIC 23/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..l75/45, 53,85, 203, 122;

173/42, 39 44, 20 The drill head of a raise drill is mounted to allowpivoting in one or more planes. Bending forces on the drill string andraise drill components are reduced, [56] References Cited eliminated orcontrolled. An indicator provides the UNITED STATES PATENTS opearliatorwith information concerning alignment and t. 2,848,196 s/195s Simmonds..l75/85 x 3,302,735 2/1967 Klem ..l75/ 122 X 9 Claims, 3 DrawingFigures PATENTEUnms m2 3.695.369

sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR JAMES M. DROUET ATTORNEY PATENTEDucr 3 I9723.695.369

' sum 2 or 2 INVENTOR FIG. 3 JAMES M. DROUET ATTORNEY EARTH BORINGMACHINE WITH A PIVOTAL HEAD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to the art of earth boring and more particularly to an earthboring machine with a pivotal drill head. This invention has specialutility in raise drilling wherein the raise hole boring operationproceeds by the drilling of a relatively small pilot hole followed byenlargement of the hole to the desired size. A detailed description of amechanized system of raise drilling is shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,446,284to N. D. Dyer et al. patented May 27, I969.

While efficiency, performance and economy are considered in connectionwith all earth boring equipment, raise drilling imposes strictrequirements because the equipment is generally operated insideof a mineshaft. The system must be compact, easy to transport and highlyreliable. In addition, a tremendous amount of stress is placed upon theelements of the raise drill and the drill string.

Any misalignment between the drill string and the raise drill results instresses and bending forces on'both the drill pipe and elements of theraise drill. Once the raise drill' is in place it is inconvenient anddifficult to. adjust its position. Misalignment of the drill head and,drill string may occur in prior art devices. The misalignment may occuras drilling proceeds and the operator may be unaware of themisalignment. It is desirable to DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In U. 8.Pat. No. 3,220,494 to R. E. Cannon et al. patented Nov. 30, 1965, anoverall description of a conventional raise drill method is set forth.The operation begins'by drilling a relatively small pilot hole to ashaft. The pilot bit is removed and a large raise bit attached to thedrill string. The raise bit is rotated and hydraulically raised alongthe pilot hole to form the desired large diameter hole. a

It can be appreciated that any misalignment during the raising operationwherein the raise bit is rotated and hydraulically raised along thepilot hole will result in a great amount of stress and bending force onthe drill string elements and elements of the earth boring machine.Previous attempts to absorb the misalignment have been in the connectionbetween the drill stem and drill pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an earth boringmachine with a pivotable drill head. The free pivoting movement of thedrill head allows alignment of the pipe and head to effectively reducebending forces on the pipe and elements of the earth boring machine. Thepresent invention allows movement in one or more planes as required. Theamount of misalignment is measured and the operator receives a warningsignal when the misalignment exceeds predetermined limits. In additionautomatic means may be connnected to the measuring system to adjust thedrill head supports should misalignment exceed preset limits.

The present invention includes means for adjusting and controlling theposition of the drill head. This allows the drill head to be properlypositioned during certain drilling operations. In addition, the positionof the drill head maybe adjusted during drilling operations to controlor correct deviation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an earthboring machine with a pivotable drill head.

It is a furtherobject of the present invention to provide an earthboring machine that reduces stresses and bending forces on the drillstring and elements of the earth boring machine. I

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anearth boring machine that provides a warning to the operator whenmisalignment of the drill string and drill head occurs.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anearth boring machine with means for controlling the position of thedrill head.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anearth boring machine with means for controlling and correctingdeviation.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of an earthboring machine that provides pivotal movement of the drill head in asingle plane. y I FIG. 2 shows the carriage, drillhead and motor ofanother embodiment that provides relative movement in two planes.

FIG. 3 shows an indicator and alarm system that will provide theoperator withan indication of misalignment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION of THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, a sideview of a raise drill 10 of the the present invention is shown. A pairof support columns 11 are connected to a base member 12 at hinge 13 (thesupport columns 11 are parallel and only one is shown in this sideview). A corresponding pair of adjustable braces 14 insure that supportcolumns 11 will remain stationary in the desired vertical posiiton. Acarriage 15 is mounted for movement along support columns 11. Movementof carriage 15 along the sup port columns is provided by thrust cylinder16. A drill head 17 is pivotably connected to carriage 15 by hingeelement 18. Motor '19 supplies power to drive drill head 17. The powerfrom motor 19 is transmitted to drill head 17 through a suitabletransmission 20. Drill pipe may be connectedto chuck 21 located on thelower portion of rotary drill head 17. A pair of adjustable jackelements 22 and 23 are positioned on each side of hinge 18 andbetweenthe drill head 17 and carriage 15. The adjustable jacks 22 and 23provide an adjustable connection between carriage 15 and drill head 17.

The raise drill 10 is moved into position in a mine shaft or otherlocation wherein a raise boring operation is to be conducted. The base12 is firmly implanted. Support columns 1 l are aligned substantiallyparallel to the desired drill line. Although the drill line is shownperpendicular to the base, it can be appreciated that the drill line maybe at any angle to the base. Carriage 15 is moved upward by actuation ofthrust cylinder 16. Elements of rotary drill string are connected todrill head 17 at chuck 21. Motor 19 is energized to drive drill head 17thereby rotating the rotary drill string (not shown). Carriage 15 ismoved downward as drilling proceeds. When carriage 15 reaches itlowermost position the drill string is disconnected from chuck 21 andcarriage 15 again moved upward. A new element of the drill string isattached to chuck 21 and connected to the other elements of the rotarydrill string and the operation proceeds as previously explained.Generally in raise boring, this operation continues until a small pilothole is drilled to an opening somewhere below.-The pilot bit is removedfrom the drill string and a larger raise bit attached. The raise bit isthen rotated and hydraulically raised to enlarge the pilot hole to thedesired size.

Any misalignment of the raise drill l and the drill string will causesubstantial bending forces upon the various elements. In order toeliminateor substantially reduce undesirable bending forces, theconnection 18 between carriage l and drill head 17 is allowed to pivotfreely. Adjustable jacks 22 and 23 between carriage l5 and drill head 17are placed in the retracted position and the drill head 17 is free topivot thereby absorbing stresses from the drill string and correctingfor any misalignment. It can be appreciated that nearly any raise boringoperation will encounter misalignment and stress problems. The pilothole generally wanders from a true line and as the raise bit is movedalong the pilot hole the attitude of the raise bit and elements of thedrill string changes. The raise drill is subjected to varying forcesfrom the power units driving the drill head, the hydraulic cylinders andother units of the raise drill as well as from the drill string.Consequently the orientation of the body of the raise drill with respectto the drill line may change. The present invention provides aneffective solution to the above-mentioned problems.

The pivotable drill head of the present invention provides an accuratesystem of aligning the drill string as the boring operation proceeds.Once the raise drill is in place, the adjustable jacks 22 and 23 allowthe drill head 17 to be accurately positioned when spudding in with thepilot bit. In combination with the indicator to be hereinafterdescribed, the adjustable jacks 22 and 23 provide precise placement ofthe pilot bit. Adjustable jacks 22 and 23 then insure that drill head 17remains firmly locked in place during the pilot hole drilling operation.

As the pilot hole drilling operation proceeds, the hole tends to wanderfrom a true drill line. This may be the result of a number of factors,such as encountering different formations, drilling speed, gravity, etc.In order to correct alignment and insure that the pilot hole remains astrue as possible, the following method may be employed. Jacks 22 and 23are adjusted to move drill head 17. A sufficient amount of stress isplaced upon the drill string by adjustment of jack 22 and 23 to causethe pilot bit to return to a true line. Thus by appropriate adjustmentof the position of drill head 17, the pilot hole may be held to as neara true line as possible.

Referring now to FIG. 2 another embodiment of the present invention isshown wherein pivotable movement of a rotary drill head is provided intwo planes. A carriage 24 is shown which may be mounted for travel alongsupport columns in a manner similar to that described in connection withFIG. 1. A rotary drill head 25 is connected to carriage 24. Drill pipemay be connected to rotary drill head 25 at chuck 26. The drill pipe isrotated by power from motor 27 transmitted to rotary drill head 25 by asuitable transmission 28. A hinge 29 allows pivotal movement of drillhead 25 in a first plane. A pair of adjustable jacks 30 and 3] areconnected to an intermediate support element 32. Jacks 30 and 31 aremounted in jack receiving elements 33 and 34 connected to intermediateelement 32. The threaded jack elements 30 and 31 engage the matchingthreads of jack receiving elements 33 and 34. It can be appreciated thatby proper rotation of jack elements 30 and 31 to alignment of the drillhead and drill string may be adjusted in a first plane and that thedrill head may be firmly connected to intermediate element 32 or it maybe free to rotate in a first plane. A second pivot 35 is providedbetween intermediate element 32 and carriage 24. This second pivot 35provides movement of the drill head in a second plane. Pivot 35 is acylindrical element extending from intermediate support element 32 intoa cylindrical receiving socket in carriage 24. The end of pivot 35 isenlarged .to prevent it from being pulled out of the retaining socket. Aflange element 36 extends from carriage 24 and cooperates with a pair ofadjustable jacks 37 and 37 to control the amount of pivotal movementprovided by pivot 35. Jacks 37 and 37 are connected to intermediateelement 32 and may be adjusted to control the movement of drill head 25in a second plane. A second pair of jacks and a flange element could bepositioned on the opposite side of intermediate element 32 in order toprovide additional strength and control.

Referring now to FIG. 3 another embodiment of the present invention isshown. A carriage 38 is shown that may be positioned for movement alongsupport columns in a manner similar to that described in connection withthe embodiment of FIG. 1. A rotary drill head 39 is pivotably connectedto carriage 38 by a hinge element 40. Drill pipe may be connected torotary drill head 39 at chuck 41. Power to drive drill head 39 andthereby rotate the drill pipe is provided by a motor and transmission(not shown). A pointer 42 is firmly affixed to hinge element 40. Anymovement of drill head 39 relative to carriage 38 is reflected bypointer 42. A visual indicator plate 43 is positioned proximate pointer42. Plate 43 is held in place by adjustable tabs 44 and 45. The tabs maybe tightened to hold visual indicator plate 43 firmly in place.

Once the boring machine is in place, the visual indicator plate 43 ispositioned so that pointer 42 is on the zero mark. Tabs 44 and 45 aretightened and plate 43 is held firmly in place. Any pivotal movement oflated from plate 43, hinge 40 and the other elements of the earth boringmachine.

A representative method of operation will now be considered. The raisedrill is moved into position and the base firmly implanted. Theindicator plate 43 is firmly affixed in its normal operating position.If the raise drill includes means for movement in two planes, twoindicators are to j be used. A single indicator is described forsimplicity in explanation. The drill string with pilot bit is attachedto the drill head 39 at chuck 41. The adjustable jacks aremanipulateduntil pointer 42 is on the zero mark of plate 43. The pilot bit isspudded in and drilling ofthe pilot hole proceeds. Any misalignment maybe detected by referenceto the indicator. The jacks are then adjusted tobring pointer 42 back to the zero mark.

As previously explained, the pilot hole may wander from the straightline. Once a deviation is detected, the adjustable jacks may be used toimpart stress to the drill string and bring the pilot hole back to trueline. The pilot hole drilling operation proceeds until the pilot holeemerges at the desired location.

The pilot bit is then removed and a large raise bit attached. The jacksare retracted and the drill head is allowed to pivot freely. The raisebit is rotated and hydraulically drawn along the pilot hole to form alarge diameter raise hole. A tremendous amount of stress is placed onthe raise drill during this operation. The pilot hole may deviate from atrue line at various locations along its length and additional stresswill be applied to the drill string when the raise bit is being drawnpast these locations. The pivotal movement of the drill head absorbssome of the stress.

The amount of pivotal movement may exceed preset limits and the alarmactuated. This will alert the operator to the condition and correctivemeasures may be taken. This may be in the form of adjusting the positionof the support columns, moving the base or other corrective measures.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An earth boring machine with pivotable drilling means comprising:

support means;

carriage means adapted for travel along said support means;

drilling means for rotating a rotary drill column;

means between saidcarriage means and said drilling means for providingrelative movement of the drilling means in at least one plane, saidmeans including a hinge between said carriage means and said drillingmeans; and

adjustable means positioned between said carriage means and saiddrilling means for selectively preventing and controlling relativemovement of the drilling means.

2. The earth boring machine ofclaim 1 including pivot means between saidcarriage means and said drilling means for providing relative movementof the drilling means in a second plane.

3. The earth boring machine of claim 1 including means for providing anindication of the degree of relative movement of said drilling means.

4. The earth boring machine of claim 3 wherein said means for providingan indication of the degree of relative movement of said drilling meansincludes a pointer connected to said means for providing and controllingrelative movement of the drilling means and a visual indicator plate.

5. The earth boring machine of claim 4 including alarm means forproviding an alarm when the relative movement of the drilling meansexceeds predetermined limits.

6. A raise drill with a pivotable drill head, comprising:

a base;

support column means pivotally connected to said base;

a carriage adapted for travel along said support column means;

a drill head;

' power means connected to said drill head; and

means between said carriage and said drill head for providing relativemovement of the drill head in at least one plane, said means including ahinge between said carriage and said drill head, and wherein said raisedrill includes adjustable means positioned between said carriage andsaid drill head for selectively preventing and controlling relativemovement of said drill head.

7. The raise drill of claim 6 including means for providing anindication of the degree of relative movement of said drill head. I

8. A method of drilling a large diameter hole from a first level to asecond level, comprising:

positioning a raise drill at said first level, said raise drillincluding a drill head pivotally mounted and adapted to pivot in atleast one plane;

establishing a drill line;

adjusting the position of said drill head by causing said drill head topivot until the drill head is aligned with said drill line;

locking said drill head to prevent it from pivoting;

rotating and passing a pilot bit along said drill line to form a pilothole;

removing said pilot bit;

attaching a raise bit;

unlocking said drill head to allow it to pivot freely;

' rotating and hydraulically raising the raise bit along said pilot holeto form a large diameter hole; detecting deviations of the pilot holefrom said drill line;

adjusting the position of said drill head by causing said drill head topivot; and

continuing to rotate and pass and pilot bit along said drill line.

9. A raise drilling apparatus adapted to be positioned in a mine todrill a large diameter raise hole from one level of the mine to anotherlevel of the mine by rotation of a rotary drill string; comprising:

a base adapted to be positioned at one level of the mine;

7 8 at least one support pivotally connected to said base; power to thedrill head; a carriage movably connected to said at least one pivotmeans connecting said drill head to said carsupport for travel alongsaid support; riage for allowing free pivoting movement of the rotarydrilling means carried by said carriage for drill head PYOl/ide Pl' Palignment of the drill drilling a large diameter raise hole from onelevel String and drill head; and f h i to another l l f h mine, i meansconnected to said pivot means for controlling tary drilling meansincluding a rotary drill head for the degree of free Plvotmg movement ofthe connecting said drill string to said rotary drilling headmeans and apower unit for transmitting rotary l0 AAOQ mm M 1 l Po- I UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE or connrcrron Patent No. 3, 95,3 9 DatedOctober 3, 1972 lnven fl James M Drouet It is certified that errorappears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, claim 8, line 22 of claim, change "and QEEBEET occurrence,should read id Signed and sealed this 27th day of March 1973';

- (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. V I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents

1. An earth boring machine with pivotable drilling means comprising:support means; carriage means adapted for travel along said supportmeans; drilling means for rotating a rotary drill column; means betweensaid carriage means and said drilling means for providing relativemovement of the drilling means in at least one plane, said meansincluding a hinge between said carriage means and said drilling means;and adjustable means positioned between said carriage means and saiddrilling means for selectively preventing and controlling relativemovement of the drilling means.
 2. The earth boring machine of claim 1including pivot means between said carriage means and said drillingmeans for providing relative movement of the drilling means in a secondplane.
 3. The earth boring machine of claim 1 including means forproviding an indication of the degree of relative movement of saiddrilling means.
 4. The earth boring machine of claim 3 wherein saidmeans for providing an indication of the degree of relative movement ofsaid drilling means includes a pointer connected to said means forproviding and controlling relative movement of the drilling means and avisual indicator plate.
 5. The earth boring machine of claim 4 includingalarm means for providing an alarm when the relative movement of thedrilling means exceeds predetermined limits.
 6. A raise drill with apivotable drill head, comprising: a base; support column means pivotallyconnected to said base; a carriage adapted for travel along said supportcolumn means; a drill head; power means connected to said drill head;and means between said carriage and said drill head for providingrelative movement of the drill head in at least one plane, said meansincluding a hinge between said carriage and said drill head, and whereinsaid raise drill includes adjustable means positioned between saidcarriage and said drill head for selectively preventing and controllingrelative movement of said drill head.
 7. The raise drill of claim 6including means for providing an indication of the degree of relativemovement of said drill head.
 8. A method of drilling a large diameterhole from a first level to a second level, comprising: positioning araise drill at said first level, said raise drill including a drill headpivotally mounted and adapted to pivot in at least one plane;establishing a drill line; adjusting the position of said drill head bycausing said drill head to pivot until the drill head is aligned withsaid drill line; locking said drill head to prevent it from pivoting;rotating and passing a pilot bit along said drill line to form a pilothole; removing said pilot bit; attaching a raise bit; unlocking saiddrill head to allow it to pivot freely; rotating and hydraulicallyraising the raise bit along said pilot hole to form a large diameterhole; detecting deviations of the pilot hole from said drill line;adjusting the position of said drill head by causing said drill head topivot; and continuing to rotate and pass and pilot bit along said drillline.
 9. A raise drilling apparatus adapted to be positioned in a mineto drill a large diameter raise hole from one level of the mine toanother level of the mine by rotaTion of a rotary drill string;comprising: a base adapted to be positioned at one level of the mine; atleast one support pivotally connected to said base; a carriage movablyconnected to said at least one support for travel along said support;rotary drilling means carried by said carriage for drilling a largediameter raise hole from one level of the mine to another level of themine, said rotary drilling means including a rotary drill head forconnecting said drill string to said rotary drilling means and a powerunit for transmitting rotary power to the drill head; pivot meansconnecting said drill head to said carriage for allowing free pivotingmovement of the drill head to provide proper alignment of the drillstring and drill head; and means connected to said pivot means forcontrolling the degree of free pivoting movement of the drill head.